Ryan Smith Has Pursued MLB Expansion for Utah
The business leader is aggressively targeting a Major League Baseball franchise for the Salt Lake City area.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Baseball
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Ryan Smith has confirmed his group is actively pursuing a Major League Baseball expansion team for Salt Lake City. The Big League Utah coalition, led by the Miller family, has already secured a 100-acre site in the city's Power District for a potential stadium.
Why it matters
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred has prioritized expansion as a key goal to be advanced before his tenure concludes in January 2029. Utah has emerged as a top candidate alongside Nashville for the league's 31st and 32nd franchise spots.
Expansion fees are projected to reach $2.5 billion per team, with a combined cost for two new franchises approaching $6 billion. The league has not added a new team since 1998.
The players
Ryan Smith
A prominent business leader who is aggressively pursuing professional sports opportunities for Salt Lake City.
Rob Manfred
The Commissioner of Major League Baseball who has set a goal to advance league expansion before January 2029.
The Miller family
The family leaders behind the Big League Utah coalition supporting the regional stadium project.
The details
The Power District project serves as a cornerstone for the local bid, utilizing a massive 100-acre site to anchor the proposed professional sports development. Smith noted his group intends to pursue these sports opportunities through private efforts, positioning the region against other contenders like Nashville, Portland, and Sacramento.
Timeline
1998: The last year a Major League Baseball expansion occurred.
September 2026: Ryan Smith interviewed regarding his interest in MLB expansion.
January 2029: The date marking the end of Rob Manfred's tenure as commissioner.
2031 or later: The potential timeframe for bids from Portland and Sacramento.
Season Trajectory
The potential addition of two new franchises would represent the first league growth since the 1998 Major League Baseball expansion. This movement directly alters the competitive balance and long-term structure of the league as it looks toward the 31st and 32nd clubs.
The development of a stadium in the Power District could significantly reshape the west side of Salt Lake City through a 100-acre urban renewal project. Success in this bid would permanently establish the city as a major-league market, impacting future infrastructure and tax considerations for residents.
The takeaway
The move to secure a stadium site demonstrates that private investment is becoming the primary driver for cities seeking professional expansion. Local leaders are positioning themselves as top-tier candidates by securing land well in advance of the league's official expansion deadlines.
Further reading
For more background on the league's development, visit the Baseball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSL Sports.
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